Business want details from Hockey

Business leaders have given guarded support to shadow treasurer
Joe Hockey
’s pledge to improve workplace flexibility if elected to government, but want policy details before endorsing the opposition’s plans.

In a speech yesterday, Mr Hockey outlined policy directions including incentive payments to states that boost housing supply and a Productivity Commission inquiry into as­sistance for dollar-hit industries.

He warned against propping up unsustainable industries such as car manufacturing and said the Coalition would undertake “labour-market reform to en­courage higher pay for better work and make it easier for businesses to use 457 visas to access skilled labour from overseas.

Westpac Banking Corp chief executive
Gail Kelly
said a government review of the workplace laws would assist in assessing any changes required to cope with the structural shift in the economy. “Clearly some industries would benefit from more labour flexibility," Mrs Kelly said.

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive
Peter Anderson
said it was encouraging the Coalition was engaging on labour issues, “but there is always a desire for more information".

Business Council of Australia spokesman Scott Thompson said: “We look forward to making an assessment about the opposition’s policies when we see the full detail."

Opposition industry spokeswoman
Sophie Mirabella
said the Coalition would take a harder line against using taxpayer funds but car industry assistance would remain.

“Whenever there is industry assistance it has to be determined at arm’s length," she said. “There has to be strict criteria and that’s not what is currently happening."

Related Quotes

Company Profile

The government had “made a mockery" of the industry assistance criteria when granting Ford $34 million last year. “If companies don’t qualify, we’re not going to hand out money," she said.

Finance Minister
Penny Wong
said Mr Hockey had failed to identify how the Coalition would achieve a budget surplus and lower taxes, while ditching the mining tax and maintaining spending programs. “What Joe Hockey outlined was no plan, just a grab bag of slogans," she said. “He can’t deliver it because he’s got a $70 billion black hole."

NSW Treasurer
Mike Baird
said it was a great idea to offer states incentives to boost land release and im­prove the housing supply. South Australian Housing Minister
Patrick Conlon
said some states might not pull their weight on land supply, but that did not apply to SA.